Buffalo News

'"Sometimes you've just got to keep the puck out of the net," Levi said, recalling the sequence late in the second period. "It wasn't pretty, but we were kind of five guys in the crease scramling it out. We found a way to keep it out. Those moments happen all the time and you don't see those during summer workouts."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Devon Levi stellar in preseason win, delivers 19 saves for Sabres

'“Every player’s goal is playing in the NHL,” Cecconi said. “And when I got traded, I knew I had a fresh start and just kind of took it from there. I’m just trying to learn, learn everything from different guys and now you think it’s a real possibility.”' … [Read more...] about From Youngstown to KeyBank Center: Sabres debut is no mere exhibition for Joseph Cecconi

'With players like Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek and Isak Rosen close to graduating from Rochester, it’s well-known general manager Kevyn Adams shopped Olofsson in the offseason. But there weren’t many nibbles on a contract that’s paying $4.7 million this season.' … [Read more...] about Victor Olofsson is still with the Sabres, hoping for more chances to improve

'“Pretty cool, just a wild experience, different than probably anything that I’ve ever done in my life,” Okposo said Monday after practice in KeyBank Center. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and it taught me a lot. It taught me a lot about leadership, about politics, about business, about just being around some different people and extremely influential and … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Kyle Okposo says it was ‘a wild experience’ speaking on a panel sponsored by United Nations

'"It was awesome," Benson beamed. "It’s pretty surreal to be playing in Capital One Arena and playing against NHL guys and playing with NHL guys. I can’t thank Greener and Josty enough because they helped me a ton getting the system down and knowing what to do out there."' … [Read more...] about Zach Benson shows poise, dynamic ability as Sabres open preseason with OT win

'Thompson, coming off a 47-goal season that was the best by a Sabres player in 30 years, was impeded by Dylan Cozens while breaking in on the Gold net and received the free opportunity in the 50-minute game played without penalties. On his penalty shot, Thompson slowly approached the net before putting a backhander high over Dustin Tokarski.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Tage Thompson’s penalty shot goal is a fun moment in scrimmage

'“From two years ago to now, the group itself has moved along quite a ways,” Granato said. “And built and learned and progressed to the point where even at the end of last season, we could start talking about playoffs as an expectation, as a legitimate goal. And that’s where we’re at. That’s where we wanted to be.”' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Don Granato feels Sabres now have necessary conviction to win and not just hope

'“He’s won a Cup,” said Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who reached the Stanley Cup final with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018. “Immediately, you walk into a room, none of us have, I guess. … Immediately that it goes into leadership. I mean, what is this, his 17th year in the NHL? He’s going to be closing in on 1,000 games. He’s been captain of the Colorado Avalanche, assistant … [Read more...] about Erik Johnson making immediate impact on Sabres teammates: ‘Whatever he says’

'Delaware North has hosted tastings for team leadership in the off season and committed to refocusing on its core food items in the arena for this season – products that make up most of the game day sales at KeyBank Center. The company has also brought a seasoned general manager to KeyBank Center in John DonVito, a Rochester native who worked for five years leading the food and … [Read more...] about No better time than now for Delaware North to prove itself at KeyBank Center

'“The key takeaways are that I’ve explained to their camps and to them individually how important they are to this franchise and how we feel about them, and we want them here long term and just that kind of conversation,” Adams explained. “They’ve clearly indicated to me and to us that this is where they want to be, and they believe in this team, and they believe in the … [Read more...] about Sabres to ‘keep pushing’ to sign Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power long term

'The Sabres no longer look or sound like a franchise holding the longest playoff drought in NHL history, even though they still do. Of course, now they have to match that feeling with their performance. No more wishing. They are expecting to be in the playoffs and nothing else will be acceptable.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Upon return to rink, Sabres finally have expectations to embrace

'“Well, I thought Clifton and Dahlin were very impressive out there,” said Granato. “Impressive in the sense they both read the play the same together. One is moving off the other and it showed the experience, obviously, of Connor to mesh so quickly in a practice. That’s a luxury to have based on where we were bringing guys along last season.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Connor Clifton opens camp next to Rasmus Dahlin

'Sources confirmed to The Buffalo News that Savoie will be out at least a few weeks while the Sabres’ medical staff takes a conservative approach to treating the shoulder. Team doctors will then re-evaluate Savoie to see how the injury responded to rehab. Initial tests left the Sabres and their doctors optimistic that Savoie can avoid surgery.' … [Read more...] about Sabres optimistic Matt Savoie won’t need surgery on injured left shoulder

'Expectations are high now. Patience was already a tough sell to hockey fans in Buffalo. Now, the Sabres faithful have gone 12 years without experiencing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and their team is viewed as a contender.' … [Read more...] about Roster competition, high expectations among themes of Sabres’ training camp

'There is no more hoping. This is about expectation, and making the performance match the hype. There should be no more talk of playoff droughts. Forget meaningful games in March. Let's see meaningful games in May.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: It’s time for Sabres to perform with swagger that’s been missing for too long